Basketball legend Lisa Leslie foresees A'ja Wilson as prime contender for 2025 WNBA MVP award.

A'ja Wilson Claims 2025 WNBA MVP Award in Tight Race

In a closely contested race, A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces has been crowned the 2025 WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). The official announcement was made shortly after the regular season ended, with MVP votes due on the Friday following the season's closure, which was Thursday night before September 13, 2025.

Wilson's impressive season has solidified her place among the league's elite players. Her 32-point, 12-rebound, five-block outing against Atlanta in a game earlier this season set a WNBA record for games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Wilson's dominance on the court has also earned her the second-most weekly awards in WNBA history, tying with Candace Parker.

Throughout the season, Wilson has been second in scoring (23.2), rebounding (10.2), and points in the paint (12.4). Her consistent performance has been a key factor in the Aces' impressive 11-game winning streak.

Initially, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx was widely viewed as the frontrunner for the MVP award. Collier carried her team to the league's best record at 30-7 and was leading the WNBA in scoring. However, an ankle injury in early August caused her to miss three weeks of play, opening the door for other contenders to build momentum.

Collier's absence allowed players like A'ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas to shine. Thomas, in her first year with the Phoenix Mercury, has produced near triple-double averages, while Angel Reese has set a WNBA record for double-doubles.

Napheesa Collier's return from injury, along with Thomas' versatile production, has made the MVP race more competitive. Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie considers the race to be wide open, with what once looked like Collier's to lose now shaping up as one of the closest races in WNBA history.

As the regular season comes to a close, the MVP chase is expected to come down to the final stretch. Wilson leads the league in total points (789), rebounds (346), blocks per game (2.2), and efficiency rating (32.3). Collier, despite missing three weeks of play, still ranks among the top in several categories.

The 2025 WNBA MVP Award marks a significant milestone in A'ja Wilson's career. She is the fastest player to reach 5,500 career points and is part of an exclusive group with at least 5,500 points and 2,000 rebounds. Wilson's impressive season has undoubtedly cemented her place as one of the league's best players.